Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Makers of the Muslim World

by Christopher Melchert

In this pioneering biography, Christopher Melchert examines the forefather of the fourth of the four principal Sunni schools of jurisprudence, the Hanbali. Upholding the view that the Qur’an was uncreated and the direct word of God, Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780-855) thought that the holy text should be read literally, rejecting any possibility for metaphorical or revisionist interpretation. Showing that even in his own lifetime, ibn Hanbal’s followers were revising his doctrines in favour of a more commodious Islam, Melchert assesses the importance of ibn Hanbal’s teachings and analyses their relevance in modern Sunni Islam.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Biography, History

143 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Arman Firman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfectly written concise biography. And studying more than 100 works in four languages just to write a 130 page book deserves applause. The reader should know though, that Dr Melchert is an orientalist scholar, so somewhat caution is needed while reading this book. Yet his explanations at various points are wonderful.

[Wayfarer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather intriguing biographical account by Melchert, covering various facets of Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal's life e.g. Hadith; Law; Piety and etc. Coupled with the usual undertones of Orientalist disbelief and scepticism. Although, as a plus, Melchert's writing style (running commentary and snide sarcasm) does allow for an easier read than most other biographies in this genre, that tend towards being academically dry.

[Michael Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahmad ibn Hanbal is quite a complex figure to understand in terms of trying to come up with a simplified account of his jurisprudence. Theologically there isn't much there, it is declarative, as opposed to expounding. He lived a life of poverty but shunned the notion of outwardly expressing one's renunciation. He valued the transmission of hadith and the codification of it at the same time skeptical of act of writing. His followers quoted him as promoting renunciation, whilst his followers also quoted him as rejecting excess displays of renunciation. His views on Imam Ali were similarly paradoxical, as the rightfully the fourth caliph, but not necessarily morally better than the Umayyads that came after, but also very cautious in his ranking of Ali. Further doctrines of his was the Mutazailites theology, which enforced the doctrine of the createdness of the Qur'an. What is the systematisation of his thought? Who knows? What were the most authentic transmissions of his thought? No idea. He lived a life of poverty, promoted the practice of following Islamic tradition, promoted following hadith, but also promoted different understandings of the same thing like textual transmission, Ali's status in Islamic theology, islamic law, renunciation and its outwardly manifestation. All I can really say about his thought is law, jurisprudence, tradition, and practice. A deep legalist, and a hadith collector, but not a complicating theologian nor an ecstatic mystic. Restrained, austere, wise, and faithful to tradition.

[Mohamed Dahi · Rating 3 out of 5]

قرأته بالترجمة العربية مع إشراف وتقديم الأستاذ عبدالله الغزي
وفي الحقيقة أجد مقدمة الغزي أفضل الكتاب
فالكتاب متواضع من الناحية المعرفية بينما كانت المقدمة ثمينة وفيها فوائد منهجية لدارسي التاريخ والتاريخ المذهبي

[Amir Azad · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتاب بدی نبود ولی امان از ترجمه. امان. انگار با گوگل ترجمه کرده بودند. ولی هرچه پیش می‌رفت نسخه گوگل به عقب برمی‌گشت. اواسط کتاب به بعد را با کیفیت گوگل‌ترنسلیت ۸ سال پیش ترجمه کرده بودند.
کل دوره جنگ این کتاب دستم بود. زخمی جداگانه بر پیکرم.

[Robert D. Deal · Rating 5 out of 5]

general introduction

This is a good general introduction to the life, thought and influence on Islamic Law of one of the four founders of the existing Islamic law schools.

[Kamal · Rating 2 out of 5]

النجمتان للمشرف على الدراسة
أما الكتاب الأصلي فيصدق فيه بحق قول القائل :تسمع بالمعيدي خير من أن تراه !!

[Hamid Harasani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a fair account of Ibn Hanbal's life, creed, jurisprudence, piety, and school of thought. The author mainly relies on Hanbali sources. It is a good book to start with for those who are interested in the Hanbali school of thought.